By Adetokunbo FAKEYE
Federal Operations Unit, Zone A of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS in its anti-smuggling exploits has made a total of 206 seizures worth the sum of duty paid value of ₦2,877,049,777, while 29 suspects were arrested.
Disclosing this at a media briefing on Friday, 5th of April, 2024 in Ikeja, the Unit head, Comptroller Hussein Kehinde Ejibunu said, “Some of the seizures recorded within the first three months of the year 2024 are
12,278 X 50kg bags of foreign parboiled rice (equivalent to 21 trailer loads); 40 units of used vehicles; 286 cartons of rubber slippers; 1,220 cartons of foreign tomato paste; 2,705 kegs of premium motor spirit; 3,510 pieces of pneumatic used tyres and 330 bales of used clothes.
Other seized goods according to him include, 2,230 kg of Indian Hemp; 1,569 cartons of foreign frozen poultry products; 365 cartons of unmarked drugs; 104 units of Haojuo Motorcycle and 566 cartons of slippers.
On revenue recovery, Ejibunu stated that within same period under review, the unit recovered sum of ₦305,310,010.44, which represents 67% collection of the ₦455,202,073.97 revenue target for the year 2024.
On hazard of the job, the anti-smuggling czar said, “Just recently, officers of this Unit were carrying out their legitimate duties when they were being shot by some armed men suspected to be smugglers along Igbori Village, in Oyo State. Although some of the officers in the patrol team sustained injuries, but the assailants were repelled with superior fire power”.
Ejibunu warned that, citizens should avoid smuggling because it is a criminal offence against the state; participating in it has legal consequences such as hefty fines, imprisonment, or other legal sanctions. “For example, Section 228 (false statements/declaration), section 231(counterfeiting any seal, signature, initials or any mark used by any officer), section 229 (an intentional entry of goods for less duty payment) etc. Therefore, citizens must avoid smuggling because it does not only pose legal and safety risks, but also undermines the well-being of society as a whole.
“Smuggling impacts society negatively by short-changing the economy through tax evasion, affects public health and safety, distorts the balance of fair business competitiveness, and also serves as an instrument for the achievement of other criminal activities.
“Smuggling can lead to compromised personal safety because it exposes individuals to various risks that include; dealing with dangerous individuals, illegal substances, and working in unsafe conditions”.
According to Comptroller Ejibunu, compliant importers are eligible to access the Service’s preferential treatment through preferential trade programs such as the fast track, the advance ruling, and the Authorize Economic Operators (AEO) programme.
“It is a programme that allows all compliant economic operators involved in the international movement of goods to apply for AEO status. While the focus is maintained on high-risk operators and the facilitation of legitimate trade”.
